Batman: Arkham Shadowis the latest entry in the belovedArkhamseries, and while it is a VR game, that hasn’t kept it from being a compelling chapter. It’s understandable that many have wanted a freshArkhamstory available on consoles, butBatman: ArkhamShadowis still an incredibly strong continuation of the franchise’s legacy.
ArkhamShadowis set six months after the events ofArkhamOrigins, following a less-experienced version of Batman as he tracks down the story’s main villain, the Rat King.Batman has been the most successful hero in DC’s gaming venturesby far. What makes Batman resonate with so many people is that he’s a unique character in the main DC Comics roster. His status as a normal human who does not possess any actual superpowers ultimately makes him stand out. On top of that, Batman’s more brooding and dark detective-inspired nature makes for compelling stories, which could make VR the perfect stage to continue telling these tales.
Batman’s Role as DC’s Detective Makes VR a Great Home for Future Arkham Stories
VR may not be every person’s preferred way to experience a game, butArkhamShadowshowcases just how fun it can be to live out the role of Batman. The first-person perspective makesArkhamShadowone of the most immersive chapters in the series yet, as it can feel like one is actuallywalking in Bruce Wayne’s shoesas a vigilante. Sneaking through Gotham while trying to uncover the mysteries surrounding the Rat King would still be fun if it were a third-person console offering, but getting to experience everything up close and personal through the eyes of Batman can be even more effective.
ArkhamShadow’s first-person POVchange was one of the biggest challenges developer Camouflaj had to face, but the studio managed to do so surprisingly well. From the game’s combat to the more investigative moments in the story,ArkhamShadowis a great demonstration of how detective-focused action games work incredibly well in VR.
As of February 2025,ArkhamShadowhas surpassed over one million players, marking a huge milestone for the VR title.
Rumors of Another Batman Game Raise Questions
According to Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier, there may bea new Batman game developed by Rocksteadyplanned for the distant future. Of course, claims like this should be taken with a grain of salt until officially confirmed by developers, but if true, it will be interesting to see if Rocksteady takes note of Camouflaj’s work withArkhamShadow.
After Rocksteady’s controversialSuicide Squad: Kill the Justice Leaguefailed to bring a satisfying Arkhamverse story to life, the developer reportedly returning its focus to Batman is intriguing. On the other hand, though, Camouflaj may still be a strong studio to continue the Arkhamverse, at least in the VR space. A world where Rocksteady develops console-focusedArkhamentries while Camouflaj focuses on VR spin-offs isn’t outside the realm of possibility.
Even if Rocksteady comes back with a strongArkhamgame, the VR entries hopefully won’t stop.ArkhamShadowbrought a thrillingly deep level of immersion that may be hard to replicate again via console. Only time will tell, butanArkhamShadowfollow-upis hopefully in the cards.
Developer Monolith is also currently working on itsWonder Womangame, but it’s unclear if it will be connected to the Arkhamverse.
The Future of the Arkhamverse is in a Tough Position Right Now
Warner Bros. and its gaming aspirations in general have had a rocky year, butArkhamShadowwas a rare silver lining. Whatever route the Arkhamverse takes,Camouflaj’s work onArkhamShadowwill hopefully inspire the series going forward.
